Tabanog ni Teban: 2010

Teban at the Cebu City Sports Complex

Posted in Labels: Cebu, Cebu City Sports Complex, swimming, swimming pool | at Monday, July 19, 2010

My aim for a better health made me decide to take swimming as a new habit. 10 days to go before I hit my first quarter of a century and with that I want to make sure that before that day comes I would be fit and good as new. The digits that always go up and never comes down does not really bother me at all because for me they're milestones of my journey.

I've bought myself a new swimming trunks, a new swimming cap and goggles three days ago. It's an advance present for myself on my upcoming silver year. Yesterday I had them baptized at the Cebu City Sports Complex. I went there straight from the office and hit the pool. It is my first time to be inside the complex and it seems that everything is well maintained. The shower is clean enough and the pool is of course as expected chlorinated to keep the germs and bacteria away.

After warming up I took a dive and did some laps. On my second lap I started to feel the effects of my semi-sedentary lifestyle in the past few years. It used to be easy but well things have changed over the past years and that includes stamina. I never expected it to be very easy but being there in the pool is already a good start.

On my sixth lap I almost run out of breath so that made me stop and take a rest. I've bubbled until my heart eased itself from knocking my chest too hard. I spent 30 minutes looking at the people by the pool. I saw people that I think obviously older than me and a lot of kids who are trying their best to learn how to swim.

I went out of the complex with a thought that first days ain't that bad at all!

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Bonnie Bailey Live in CEBU

Posted in Labels: Bonnie Bailey, Cebu, events, house party | at Thursday, July 08, 2010

Bonnie Bailey is coming to Cebu on August 28, 2010.

The queen of House Music is going to perform and party live at the Mariners' Court convention Hall. An all night sexy house party brought to you by 93.1 Club Radio.

Bonnie Bailey is the one who sang our all time Beach/Club party music Ever After. To all Bonnie Bailey fans out there let us go out and show our love to Bonnie. Reserve your tickets as early as now. You can reserve your tickets at BonnieBaileyCebu.com. I already have my ticket so friends, see ya there!!!

Here's a word from Bonnie herself. Go Bonnie!

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the RED XP-rience

Posted in Labels: Cebu, dining, food, Red Kimono, Smart Concept, Tabanog ni Teban | at Monday, July 05, 2010

After four productive days in the office I finally get to escape and did something that I always love to do... FOOD TRIP!

Together with my friend Shara we hit the Red Kimono at the Terraces in Ayala Center. Just right on time for dinner when we got in. Since it is our first time to try out the restaurant we took our time looking at their menu. Everything looks tasty and the pictures on the menu makes my mouth water as I read through from one page to the next.

Just like any Japanese restaurant they serve sushi, stir fried vegies, noodles and rice rolls, best known as maki.

We settled for the crunchy ebi maki (rice rolled in crisy tempura flakes then stuffed and topped with ebi with ebiko and Japanese mayo), pork teriyaki (pork grilled in a sweet soy sauce marinade), and mixed Kamameshi (authentic Japanese kettle cooked rice with seafood, shitake mushroom and mixed vegetables).

15 minutes of wait time is not bad. While waiting we took a few pictures and I played with the chop sticks. The maki was served first and it was delicious. The rice was sticky enough to hold the roll together when you pick it up with a chop stick, the crunchy tempura flakes adds the texture and the sweet 'n sour taste of the ebi mixed with the Japanese mayo is splendid.

The pork teriyaki as expected is sweet and good, though I can't find any distict taste from the teriyaki that I've tasted before.

When I saw the waiter bringing in the kettle, I was amused. The Kamameshi was ambrosial. Vegetables are crisp enough to complement with the rice, the shitake mushroom and shrimp gave it a sweet and delightful taste.

Shara and I agreed that it was indeed a hearty dinner. The bill? oh well we got it 50% off. Thanks to our friends from Smart Concept who sold me the discount card for 299 PHP.

We paid 325 PHP for dinner which is extremely worth every cent!

Looking forward to another dining XP-rience.

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New Hope... Collective Leadership

Posted in Labels: Filipino, Philippines, Society, Tabanog ni Teban | at Wednesday, June 30, 2010

12:00 noon on June 30, 2010 starts the new administration. The 15th President of the Republic of the Philippines sworn himself into the office to serve the Filipino people.

With all honesty I did not vote for him during the election. I voted for the person whom I think would serve the country well. The true spirit of democracy is to hear the voice of majority. The country have spoken and made their choice and comes the new President of our country.

The new President have spoken on his speech to the nation "Kayo ang Boss ko!". A statement and a promise that the voice of his people will be heard. He calls for an administration built on collective leadership. Everyone is equally responsible for the success and failure of our goals towards change.

With the new administration comes a New Hope (Bagong Pag-asa) but hope is not enough to sustain the needs of this country. Let us turn this hope as a fuel towards our our goal of change. It is time for every Filipino to do his share of responsibility in bringing that change to our society. This is the time that we should stop belittling ourselves on what we can do. Collectively if we do what we think is good for this country we would be able to do something bigger.

Just imagine if our farmer plants more then we could fight hunger. If our teachers dedicate themselves and be more passionate in teaching we'd be able to fight illiteracy. If our entrepreneur invests on local trade and industry together they create millions of jobs. If we dispose our garbage properly and be responsible enough to recycle we could fight the problem of pollution and be able to address the growing problem of climate change.

These are just examples of what we can do to drive that change. It's time or us to stop pointing fingers at each other on whose to do what.

Let me just give a very concrete example from my personal experience which I think most people can relate to. At the age 15, I've been doing my own laundry, can cook and can do the chores around the house which makes things easier for our mother. If we can do the same things to our country on a different level. If we know our ways around our own responsibility then we can make things easier for our leader.

We vote for them to lead us and leading they must do. We did not elect them for them to do our responsibility. We should learn how to differentiate the two. Just picture yourself doing the latter, if 92 million people can't do their share of task, what's the chance of one person doing the task of 92 million people on his own. Logically speaking that's impossible.

NOW is the time for us to take action. We have pledged loyalty to this country therefore it is time for us to take that pledge seriously and that means we have to give our full support to our leader whether we voted for him or not in the past elections. Our loyalty to our country comes our loyalty to our President who represents us the FILIPINOS.

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A Trivial Day

Posted in Labels: Tabanog ni Teban, trivia | at Saturday, June 26, 2010

I came to work 15 minutes early today and before I get to sit on my desk I was faced by someone who is having a problem with his leave. So I then ask what's the problem? He answered: "I'm having a problem with my leave application. I can't file for a leave tomorrow because the system won't allow me to".

So I asked for the reason why he is applying for leave and he said I am going to join tomorrow's soccer game. Out of the blue I flippantly said: "I don't like soccer and I'm not a big fan of the sport so I will not approve your leave".

"Please approve it for the sake of the team" said he.

With a game face I said "If you could answer my question then I would approve your leave. I know this is gonna be easy since you are a soccer player and a fan."

Then I asked, "Where is the word soccer derived from? or how did the word soccer come about?"

He asked me if I am serious and I said yes. The look on his face is priceless. So to give him hope I asked him that he can call a friend to help him out. To cut the story short he Google the answer for I did not say he can't Google it.

He got the answer right after 15 minutes of asking around and with the help of Google search. He made my day and I made his day with a trivia. The word soccer is derived from the word association. It's an alteration of th word "assoc" as in Association Football.

The use of the term can be traced back to about 1880: it's documented as soccer or socca in 1889, and socker in 1891. Soccer seemed have become the most common phrase by 1895. Originally it was only university slang; it was habitual for English university students in the 1880s to abbreviate any word and then add on 'er' or 'ers' to it (so breakfast became brekkers, or rugby became ruggers).

I dare him to ask his friends in the soccer team to answer the same question and I am pretty much sure that barely 1 out of 10 knows the answer. The thing is it does not hurt if we get to know the things we like a little bit more. As what the late Ka Ernie Baron said 'Knowledge is Power'.

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Waking up from Dormancy

Posted in Labels: Dormancy, Tabanog ni Teban | at Friday, June 25, 2010

It's been a while since I posted an entry in my blog. There's been a lot of things going on in my so called life. The heat of summer must have dried up my brain cells and have lost my inspiration at some point. Needless to say that I am not a very good writer thus I need a lot of inspiration for me to go on.

The rainy season had started and everything is starting to go green. The dried up grasses are now turning their blades into green (one of my favorite colors). Drops of water from our tin roof is streaming down the gutters then into the side-walks. The long forgotten streams are now flowing and starting to confluence themselves somewhere. So is my dormant thoughts are now starting to be awaken from a very long and dreamless sleep.

Today I feel happy because things at work are going great, though it's another crazy and busy day but I found tranquility amidst the hustle and bustle of my daily routines. Much of this I owe to the people that I work and interact with everyday. Thank you guys for understanding me and keeping up with me on my worst moments and for making me smile everyday. Our 1 o'clock habit of intellectual discourse and humor that some people finds out-of-place; yet the part where everyone is lively interacting takes the stress away.

To the people who appreciate my work and people whom I interact with daily personally and virtually through the cyberspace you are indeed a source of my inspiration. So are my critics who bluntly speaks of their opinion, you are the flickering source of light in dark alley that points me through the right path.

Waking up from dormancy has its perks for now I feel every waking moment of my life as a motivation to post regularly. Next on queue a narrative of my 2010 life during summer.

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The CVG Heat Wave 2k10

Posted in Labels: CVG, Heat Wave, Summer, Tabanog ni Teban | at Monday, May 24, 2010

One of the most awaited event by the CVG (Convergys) pips of Cebu is this year's summer party. This year's theme is Heat Wave: Because Summer Sizzles. Indeed it is a very sizzling event for the day is way too warm at the Maribago Blue Waters Resort in Mactan Island where the event was held. Three CVG sites joined forces to enjoy the extreme summer heat.

It is indeed another successful event for Convergys Cebu. Running through yesterdays event; all employees are provided with a bus transport from each CVG site to the venue. Buses are running in a 1 hour interval taking each honored CVG employee to the venue. The moment we got off our ride we were all welcomed by a group of dancers dancing to the beat of the drums doing their hula steps. Ladies are strutting and moving their hips setting a very good mood to every warm blooded male who attended the event.

Upon arrival each employee had to register at the registration booth where they have to confirm their attendance to the event. A baller band and an inflatable CVG bag was given as a souveneir to those who attended the event. Each employee was given with a ticket inclusive of the foto booth, kayak, water ball and meal tickets.

As we walk through the venue we were guided by our very own security personels in their hawaaian printed boardshorts. The event program was printed on a surf board shaped tarpaulin setting us on the mood for the day. As we go farther we were welcomed with a mini arcade where we can shoot hoops, darts and more. It feels great playing those kiddie stuff. One can get a plastic coin when they get to pass the kiddie challenge and can claim a corresponding prize.

Next was the foto booth. Every event is not complete without a photograph. Lining up for the foto booth is such a pain because of the heat but no one seems to be affected because they were all excited. Lunch was served very early and we are all treated to a buffet. Games like frisbee, tug-of-war, obstacle race, beach volley and bring me stuff games were played. The fun and excitement level is going up as mor people arrive to the venue straight from work.

Personall I get to enjoy the kayak and for the first time I get to enjoy the water ball. The adrenaline rush through my veins is very addictive. Earlier through the day as I watch through those who tried it before me I was really laughing at how they look like inside a very big inflatable ball. Floating on the water where one can run and tumble inside the big ball filled with air. I've just realized how the hamsters feel when they run on their wheels. At first it was really very exciting and as you stay longer and tumble more inside you might have a sudden chabge if heart towards your hamster pet if you ever have one.

Games are continually played in the afternoon as some people stayed under the shades of the balete trees while some are swimming in a very warm swimming pool. A lot of people doesn't seem to mind the water temperature but instead just enjoyed the moment of getting themselves wet.

Dinner was served early at 5 pm as some people enjoyed the free Karaoke with the Sing-a-Gong game. Everyone started to take the boat crossing the man made lagoon to a small man-made-island of the Maribago waters where the final event of the day is held. Sadly I didn'y get to witness all of the remaining events of the day like the Convergys Got Talent and the Summer Catch for I need to work.

I got on the 7pm bus ride to IT park and get to drowse off to a 30 minute power nap. The fun day was over for me at 7 but then the thought of being their and being able to join the summer event is something worth to remember. Now I am looking forward to the next summer party.

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The Sound of the Rain

Posted in Labels: rain, Tabanog ni Teban, weather | at Sunday, May 23, 2010

After so many months of bearing with the sauna heat inside my bedroom finally its here. At 4:40 AM today I woke up hearing the sound of the heavy pouring rain on our tin roof. This must be a sign that drought days are over. What could be next is a very wet and heavy down pour season of rain which I hope not for it will be another problem in some other places.

Right now I am just very ecstatic to hear the sound of the rain. Temporarily I'll say goodbye to the artificial raindrop sounds that I play on my computer when I go to sleep everyday.The sound of the rain is mother nature's sweet lullaby that puts the world to sleep. As I type these words my head is spinning round for Morpheus is calling me to sleep.

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Make every day a Valentines Day

Posted in Labels: family, Life's Lessons, love, quoted, Tabanog ni Teban | at Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Valentines is over but it would be nice if we make each day a Valentines Day. I've received a few messages in my email that made me think deeply on Valentines day and here I wanna share them with you.

One is a 30 second Speech by Bryan Dyson (CEO of Coca Cola):

"Imagine life as a game in which you are juggling some five balls in the air. You name them - Work, Family, Health, Friends and Spirit and you're keeping all of these in the Air.

You will soon understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back.

But the other four Balls - Family, Health, Friends and Spirit - are made of glass. If you drop one of these; they will be irrevocably scuffed, marked, nicked, damaged or even shattered. They will never be the same. You must understand that and strive for it."

WORK EFFICIENTLY DURING OFFICE HOURS AND LEAVE ON TIME. GIVE THE REQUIRED TIME TO YOUR FAMILY, FRIENDS & HAVE PROPER REST.

Next is a video that made my tears roll down my cheeks. This will surely touch your heart.

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Felicitations ...

Posted in Labels: felicitations, greetings, Tabanog ni Teban | at Monday, February 01, 2010

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

to my dear cousin

Tiffany Margret E. Macad

for passing the November 2009 Nursing Board Exam. You are now a certified Nurse.

The uncertainties of the present always
give way to the enchanted possibilities of the future.
You are destined for greatness.
Enjoy your journey and remember to have fun.

We are so proud of you!

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Goals for February and beyond...

Posted in Labels: checklist, goals, Tabanog ni Teban | at Monday, February 01, 2010

January is ending and it has been a busy yet a wonderful month for me. There has been a lot of twists and turns in the past 31 days of 2010 and this made me see a lot of things in a different light.

My first goal is to finish things at work on time. This will be a great challenge but as the saying goes: 'Nothing is impossible if you put your heart and mind into it'. Now here's the catch, less time in the office means more time for myself. A window of opportunity for me to spend my time for personal and recreational activities.

It has been 2 months since I was able to finish reading a book. Adding on my checklist: to finish reading the Weather Warden Series by Rachel Caine. I started reading this book on my mobile phone using wattpad few months back. When my phone broke down I downloaded the eBook on my laptop and every time I start to read it I get distracted by the too many things opened on my browser. Facebook updates and posts that keeps me going on and on until it's late at night. I got stuck on the 5th book of the series and I've been stuck on that book for 2 months now. This time I am going to finish it. For those who are fond of reading fiction this is one of those books that you would enjoy. I've never read anything about weather that made it so interesting.

Third on my list is to keep tab of my expenses. Just 2 days ago I created a file on my computer where I can list down all of my expenses and for me to keep track of my savings from last pay day. I find it a bit funny trying to remember every cent that I spent for the last 2 days. It is a very tricky thing to do knowing that you exceeded your budget for the day.

I gave myself a 100PHP to 150PHP daily budget for food and transportation. This can be translated to: No taxi and no fast food. Now I have to wake up at least an hour and 15 minutes before my work schedule for me to have enough time to prepare and be at work on time.

Next on the bullet is to sleep for 7 to 8 hours daily. This means no late nights on Facebook, and late night out on my work days. Whew! this is tough but the die has been cast.

Best of luck!

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Visit Bukidnon

Posted in Labels: Bukidnon, Kaamulan, Tabanog ni Teban, tourism, travel, visit | at Thursday, January 21, 2010

Bukidnon (/buːˈkɪdnɒn/) is a landlocked province of the Philippines located in the Northern Mindanao region. Its capital is Malaybalay City.

Bukidnon is considered by Filipinos to be the food basket of Mindanao. It is the major producer of rice and corn in the region. Plantations in the province also produce pineapples, bananas and sugarcane.

There are no seaports in the province, although there is an airport in Malaybalay City. The airport is currently closed. To get to Bukidnon, one must travel by land from Cagayan de Oro City.

Bukidnon my HOME.

Anyone from Bukidnon knows this song by heart and it really speaks a lot about my home province. Yes, I'm a proud Bukidnon native and a descendant of one of the seven hill tribes of Bukidnon the Higaonon.

Every year we all look forward to the Kaamulan Festival, it is the annual gathering of the 7 Hill Tribes of the province (Bukidnon, Higaonon, Talaandig, Manobo, Matigsalug, Tigwahanon and Umayamnon). Kaamulan comes from Binukid word “amul” meaning to gather. Kaamulan is gathering for a purpose—a datuship ritual, a wedding ceremony, a thanksgiving festival during harvest time, a peace pact, or all of these together.

Bukidnon's Kaamulan festival is the only authentic ethnic festival in the country. This was bold statement by Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Ace Durano on March 7, 2009 in his speech during the Kaamulan Festival 2009 Ethnic Street Dancing Competition.

The Ethnic Street Dancing is the highlight of every Kaamulan Festival where dancers showcase the rich culture of the province. It is not simply dancing but it is an epic of the Bukidnon life.

Experience this year's Kaamulan Festival. Be amazed by the rich culture of Bukidnon. Kaamulan 2010 Schedule of Activities is already available. For more information about Bukidnon you can visit the official website of the Bukidnon Province.

~~NOTES:~~

Kaamulan started as a festival on May 15, 1974, during the fiesta celebration of the municipality of Malaybalay. A town official thought of inviting some indigenous people to town and made them perform a few dance steps at Plaza Rizal to enliven the fiesta celebration. The celebration however proved very popular and together with national coverage the Kaamulan festival has become the regional festival of Northern Mindanao, as declared by the Regional Development Council of Region 10 on September 16, 1977. Kaamulan was formerly held on the first week of September but in 1996, it was transferred to the present date to synchronize it with the foundation celebration of the province.

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Fireflies... Owl City

Posted in Labels: favorite, Fireflies, Music, Tabanog ni Teban | at Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Owl City became one of my all time favorites when I first heard this song. I got this for free on iTunes. Since then I always play this on my 'puter before go to sleep. What I love bout the video is the vintage theme and the whole set. I'm such a sucker for vintage that's why I love it more than the song itself.

Thought it would be great to share this to you.

♫♪ I'd like to make myself believe That planet Earth turns slowly

It's hard to say that I'd rather stay Awake when I'm asleep ♫

'Cause everything is never as it seems

'Cause I'd get a thousand hugs ♪ From ten thousand lightning bugs

As they tried to teach me how to dance.. ♪♪♫

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Silent prayers... ANSWERED.

Posted in Labels: answered prayers, miracle, moments, Tabanog ni Teban | at Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Seven invisible sunsets had past since the news was broken, I can still remember every second of that moment when I heard about an incident that turned my heart inside out. Seven long nights of what ifs? and a night full of twist and turn.

For the first time in my life I felt so dispensable. The feeling that anytime you can be replaced with less regrets or none at all. Like a paper thrown into the furnace leaving nothing but a dust cloud of memory. The long hours of waiting makes it worse. The ghosts of memories and anticipation are playing right above my head. A part of my mind is telling me that everything will be all right yet another part of it tells me not to hope so much for it may cost me a broken heart and a bitter heart.

Resting was never easy, When I drowse myself to sleep, it takes nothing but a few minutes for my mind to wander again: thinking of what I have to do in the event that I'd lose one my inspiration to work. Engulfed by frustration and fear, the child in me cried silently and begged for help. My heart called for divine intervention; believing that miracles happen.

I found myself restless the moment I rouse this morning. My neck stiff and my head feels like its gonna break in two. I've never been a believer but it feels like its a bad omen. There's no way to find out but get off the bunk and start my day.

So my day began and I took a short moment to silently pray. I've never been so prayerful these days but this time its different. This is the day that could change my life forever, a day that would point me to a new direction. I can feel the static building in the air and I chose to ignore it most of the time. I told myself in silence " this is not the time to get distracted, compose yourself and think that good things happen to good people" .

I went on with what I call a day, conscious with every tick of the clock. The moment is yet to come so I hold on to every ounce of my patience as I went on from one task to another.

I got so occupied on my own little world when that final moment had come. Decision has been made and when I heard the news my heart leaps with joy, thankful that my silent prayers were answered.

The clouds have cleared itself away and gave way to a bright and promising day. I can't wait to see the sun set. For the first time in the last seven days I found tranquility.

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words of encouragement for my dearest friend

Posted in Labels: encouragement, Friend, specials, Tabanog ni Teban, trials | at Thursday, January 14, 2010

I cannot fathom how much pain you're feeling right now but allow me to say some words that I hope would lift your spirits:

It has been a while since we have walked down this road together and in every step that we took together made me get to know you more and and took you to a very special place in my heart.

Let's take a flashback...

Take yourself back to those times when we were walking on those unpaved roads and when I stumbled you were there to hold my hand. My knees were scraped yet we just laughed it out. The pain isn't much of a bother because you were there.

On my bad weather days you are the wind that takes the dark clouds away. You bring sunshine with your smile and with your very honest and innocent comments. You laugh out loud with my ever lamest jokes and I know you laugh at them because you find them funny.

Remember those moments when we just have to look at each others eyes and we already know what the other is thinking. We laugh together even if people think we're nuts. We make a perfect team together. We are so different yet we make such a good combination, you play this role of an angel and I play the devil's. Your childlike perspective on a lot of things makes me see things differently and makes me appreciate how wonderful life could be.

Think of those times we spend at the 'ukay-ukay', the early breakfasts with our friends, the shortest walk we have to Gorordo, the santol and the hot pink nail polish. The over time hours we took just so we could go home together. The dance moves and the songs like Dangerous, Just Dance, and Bad Romance.

We took each step together. We climbed up the ladder at the same time for we believe that success is not being on top of the other but instead being on that pedestal together. Our journey is not yet over buddy.

The trials that you are in right now is just a storm that we have to weather. I know that the strike of the lightning is frightening you but do not worry because I'm right here next to you. You can close your eyes and shut your ears so you will not be frightened. You can hold my hand and let me be your eyes and your ears until the storm is over.

Do not lose your hope yet. Remember that there is a reason behind everything, things that we cannot comprehend at this very moment. Keep on going even if the road that we're in is tough for what's ahead is something worth the fight.

Our Creator will never give us trial that we cannot bear; take pride in yourself instead of feeling sorry. This is your baptism of fire.

Think that you have your family and we your friends to support you. Do not give up because we are not giving up on you. Quitting is not an option but the coward's way of saying that he/she can't do it without even trying. We know that you are no quitter so just hang in there.

Aja! Aja!

-- Life is like Snickers, its not all sweet, chewy and chocolaty but can be a little NUTty :-)

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the beauty behind imperfections

Posted in Labels: Beauty, Imperfection, Life's Lessons, Tabanog ni Teban | at Tuesday, January 12, 2010

1AM.

Still up and alive. Have my Facebook page up on Mozilla and have this blogger page up on Safari. Facebook Chat doesn't seem to work very well with my Safari but it is very good for editing my blog. Everything doesn't have to be perfect for you to enjoy things.

There is no such thing as perfection in this world that we are living. Anyone who aims for perfection is nothing but a fool. It is the imperfection of things that we should learn to appreciate because through these imperfections we work harder to make things better.

Beauty is how you see the whole thing and not looking at the smallest things that makes it whole. Think of this as an example. Take a block of rock and look at it very close. Would find it beautiful? Do you think it would amaze you? Would it take your breath away?

Of course not, a piece of rock can't do that to you. Now take a look at a picture of the Great Pyramids of Egypt, or the Banaue Rice Terraces and imagine yourself standing right there looking at the Pyramid or the Terraces. You are looking at 2 of the great wonders of the world. Both were just rocks pieced together. Do you think it would give you the same feeling that you feel when you were staring at a piece of rock?

No you will not feel the same thing. Beauty is seeing beyond the imperfection of the parts and seeing the whole thing and not just simply a part of it.

Lesson is, if you find yourself in the middle of something that you find ugly or undesirable what you have to do is widen your vision and look at a bigger picture for there is beauty behind it.

~~ON THE OTHER SIDE:~~

To my fellow K-Gang Members, as requested by our honored member Jeresed we are soon to launch the official blog of the Katsubong Gang a.k.a. the K-Gang. Official name will be K-Gang archive. Watch out for more updates.

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an Extra-ordinary experience with ordinary food.

Posted in Labels: everyday food, food, sardines | at Sunday, January 10, 2010

2:20 AM. I woke up with an empty stomach and here I am craving for food at this very unholy hour. I'm thinking of going out but I don't feel like eating fast food. I'm getting tired of all the fried chickens in the world.

Living on my own made me experiment and I want to share this quick recipe to you. I call this as Fried Rice in Tomato Sauce Topped with Crispy Fried Sardines.

The name sounds kinda fancy but it's not as fancy as how I call it. This will take you 10 minutes at the maximum to prepare.

Here's what you need:

1 canned sardines in tomato sauce (any brand will do, just pick your favorite)

2 cloves of garlic, minced

2 cups of cold rice (bahaw in bisaya)

ginisa mix (all in one seasoning)

cooking oil

1 tsp salt and a dash of pepper

spring onions and sliced tomatoes (optional)

How to prepare:

Open the canned sardines and separate the sardines from its tomato sauce. Place the tomato sauce on a separate container and set aside.
Sprinkle the sardines with ginisa mix.
Heat the oil in a frying pan. Make sure that the oil is hot enough for frying.
Fry the sardines until it's crispy.
Once done take the sardines out of the frying pan and set aside.
On the same pan where you fry the sardines take some of the oil out and leave around 2 tbsp of cooking oil.
Saute the garlic until golden brown.
Put in the rice and stir it for 3 min or until the rice is heated.
Add the tomato sauce and stir for another 1 minute.
Add salt and pepper to taste.
Once done serve the rice on a bowl or a plate whatever is available.
Place the crispy fried sardines on top.
Sprinkle it chopped spring onions and put some sliced tomatoes on the side for garnish.

The next thing you'll know you're full and happy. This recipe will cost you 20 pesos or less.

Try it and tell me what you think about it.

You don't have to spend much just to satisfy your hunger. What you can do is make some twists out of your ordinary every day food. Learn how to fool your taste buds. Make your ordinary food an extra-ordinary experience.

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Who we are.. the Filipinos

Posted in Labels: 2010 Presidential Election, election, Philippines, politics, vote | at Saturday, January 09, 2010

where i am from
by ma. fatima v. lim

and i answer from the philippines.
7,000 and more islands scattered over the pacific
like blue green clusters of carabao turd.
48,000,000 people shouting at each other
over the barriers of the sierra madre and celebes sea,
through the din of rice sparrows and reconnaisance planes.
natives with chinese eyes and malayan skin
castillian airs and made-in-the-u.s.a. minds,
we cross ourselves the pit before the cockfight.
oh, we are slow, how slow we are.
we fall asleep in the shade of the palm tress.
our hoes rust in the fields.
the tuba rushes to our brains from our bellies.
the women changed our coconut fermented dreams:
maria clara has goat milk skin, laguna de bay eyes and teeth.
her breasts swell fuller than upo gourds.
oh! how slower we are still to waking.
juan tamad took 400 years
he finally got rid of the european devil.
with a stone-sharpened bolo,
but blinded by the stars and stripes
poor juan embraced six-foot santa claus.
we dream of pure white christmas
in our land of constant summer and lent.
beating our breasts, re-enacting
the bleeding passion of christ,
our bare feet turning and turning the barrening earth.
oh! but we are quick to change from one master to another.
ready to scrape and smile.
even speak in conqueror's tongue.
buenos dias! hi ya'll! konnichi wa!
we are the poor filipinos
richly blessed malarial squatters.
malacañang palace puppets and inflatable peso bills
how can god not be kind to us?
surely he sees our lifted faces,
wet with the manna
of monsoon rain.

This is one of the poems that I will never forget, everytime I was asked by someone to introduce myself I would always recall a line or two of this poem. This time is is a bit different though, what made me recall this poem is the election fever in the country. It is very common to the Philippine politics that candidates would get to groom themselves to the eye of the public. 356 days before the election year and every politician whose eyes are on one of the seats in the government are already appearing on TV ads. These are the moments when Filipinos are seeing the future candidates of the National Elections, whether it be the Presidential or the Senatorial seat. The question is to whom are we going to cast our votes for?

Let us all look back to the years when our brave ancestors fight with their lives just to free this country from our colonizers. Think of Andres Bonifacio, Emilio Jacinto, Gabriela Silang, Apolinario Mabini, Dr. Jose Rizal and the the unsung heroes of the Katipunan and guerilla movements who fought hard for our freedom. They were part of the reason why every Filipino whether they're young or old, literate or not, rich or poor, man or woman; were given an equal right to pick the leaders who would soon be the voice of our people to the world.

Let us forget about the superficial things and let us get to know ourselves. Before we cast our votes let us all look into our hearts and find our our identity as a Filipino. Let us remember that the person that we put on the highest seat is the person that would best represent us. We should make it a point that we are not voting for someone who is famous, rich, popular or just because they multi-awarded actors and are great athletes. Instead let us vote for someone who will listen and feel our needs. Someone who does not look at the position as a source of income and of power but someone who sees it as a privilege to serve and to speak for our people. Someone who would make the world identify us as peace-loving, hard working and God fearing nation.

Let us be identified by our great Filipino Values through our leaders. Once and for all let us revive the People Power by voting for someone who is fit for the position. We don't want to make the same mistakes over and over again. We do not need to march down the EDSA to ask someone to step down their seat just because 2 or 3 years ago we made the wrong choice of voting for them. Let us start it right this time.

The next march that we should do down the EDSA Avenue should be the march of victory; lifting our hands up in the sky celebrating the election of a TRUE servant to the Filipino nation.

~~NOTES:~~

*** the poem is written in the 1980's

*** 48,000,000 - is the population of the poplulation of the Philippines in 1980, this 2010 the projected population is 93,938,917 and is projected to reach 102,822,358 in the year 2015. (source: http://www.census.gov.ph/data/sectordata/popprojtab.html)

*** for more information about the 2010 National and Local Elections visit: http://www.comelec.gov.ph/2010%20National_Local/calendar_%20of_activities.html

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